May 26, 2014

It's not about numbers, of course, but be encouraged: we have gathered together here and prayed through these prayers 500 times now. Every little devotion of time is honored by our Lord. "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel..." Phil. 1:4

God of the Heavenly Armies,
ultimate Victor of all battles
Source of all strength and courage
Defender of the weak
righteous Judge
our Fortress,
Almighty

Because You are just
and good
merciful
and loving
we gladly follow You. We acknowledge You as our Commander in Chief. And it is for Your glory we are willing to sacrifice our lives.

Lord we pray for our soldiers, active and retired, home and deployed, today. From David's mighty men to the Roman centurion believer, thank You for caring for the warriors. We pray for our ranks, who carry Your name in the eyes of this world, if nothing else than by tradition.

We pray for Your strength, which comes from Your joy and hoping in You. You who never grows tired or weary can renew strength and give hope.

In this business of physical abilities, we ask for healing of our soldiers' bodies. Give the doctors wisdom and the soldiers patience in fixing of shoulders, ankles, backs. Please protect our deployed from the flu and other illnesses.

But more importantly, we pray for our soldiers' hearts. Please guard their hearts. May they dwell in Your shelter, rest in Your shadow. May the spiritual battle for their souls be won, even if the physical battle cannot be. May suicide be bound, unable to breathe lies to our warriors.

Be with them in their missions Lord. "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands." (Psalm 90:17) Give them vision and courage to continue to forge ahead.

And Lord we ask for Your presence with their families. Hold the lonely close in Your arms. Be the grace between them in their marriages, and with their children. Give these families an extra measure of Your enduring, long-suffering love.

More than anything Lord, may our warriors draw closer to You. Help us to be lights to show them the way. If it takes hardship to turn hard hearts, may it not crush them. Break the cycle of selfish sin, do not let it fulfill. Forgive us Lord, of our pride and putting ourselves first.

Help them with all the aspects of this life You have called them to: the moves, the submission to superiors, the training, the frustrating paperwork and hoops to jump through.

We thank You for all You have already brought us through. Thank You for the many gifts You have given our military, making us the best in the world. May we use that responsibility rightly.

But it is in You we ultimately trust, in Your sanctuary we rest. We love You Lord.